Summary
We conducted a histomorphometrical study on the role of the bone marrow in cancellous bone metabolism using iliac bone specimens from 79 postmenopausal women. A gradual decrease in hematopoietic tissue of the bone marrow was proportionate to the decrease in cancellous bone and the ratio of osteoid perimeter/bone perimeter regardless of age. On the other hand, the ratio of eroded perimeter/bone perimeter remained almost steady until hematopoietic tissue decreased significantly. These findings suggest that a change in the bone marrow, that is, a decrease in hematopoietic tissue, causes an imbalance in bone formation and resorption and leads to bone loss.
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Hirano, T., Iwasaki, K. Bone marrow plays a role in bone metabolism: Histomorphometry of iliac bone in postmenopausal women. Calcif Tissue Int 51, 348–351 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00316878
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00316878